Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2024
Floor Speech
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Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7454) to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend authorizations for the airport improvement program, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 7454
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2024''. SEC. 2. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title. Sec. 2. Short title; table of contents. TITLE I--FEDERAL AVIATION PROGRAMS Sec. 101. Airport improvement program. Sec. 102. Extension of expiring authorities; miscellaneous authorizations. Sec. 103. Federal aviation administration operations. Sec. 104. Air navigation facilities and equipment. Sec. 105. Research, engineering, and development. Sec. 106. Small community air service. TITLE II--AVIATION REVENUE PROVISIONS Sec. 201. Expenditure authority from airport and airway trust fund. Sec. 202. Extension of taxes funding airport and airway trust fund. TITLE III -- MISCELLANEOUS EXTENSIONS Sec. 301. Counter-UAS authorities. TITLE I--FEDERAL AVIATION PROGRAMS SEC. 101. AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 48103(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following:
``(7) $2,041,120,218 for the period beginning October 1, 2023, and ending on May 10, 2024.''.
(b) Obligation Authority.--Subject to limitations specified in advance in appropriation Acts, sums made available pursuant to the amendment made by subsection (a) may be obligated at any time through September 30, 2024, and shall remain available until expended.
(c) Program Implementation.--For purposes of calculating funding apportionments and meeting other requirements under sections 47114, 47115, 47116, and 47117 of title 49, United States Code, for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on May 10, 2024, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall--
(1) first calculate such funding apportionments on an annualized basis as if the total amount available under section 48103 of such title for fiscal year 2024 was $3,350,000,000; and
(2) then reduce by 39 percent--
(A) all funding apportionment amounts calculated under paragraph (1); and
(B) amounts made available pursuant to subsections (b) and (f)(2) of section 47117 of such title.
(d) Extension of Project Grant Authority.--Section 47104(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``March 8, 2024,'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024,''.
(e) Extension of Special Rule for Apportionments.--Section 47114(c)(1)(J) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024,'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024,''. SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES; MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORIZATIONS.
(a) Authority To Provide Insurance.--Section 44310(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(b) Unmanned Aircraft Test Ranges.--Section 44803(h) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(c) Special Authority for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems.--Section 44807(d) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(d) Extension of Airport Safety and Airspace Hazard Mitigation and Enforcement.--Section 44810(h) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(e) Competitive Access Reporting Requirement.--Section 47107(r)(3) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``March 9, 2024'' and inserting ``May 11, 2024''.
(f) Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau.--Section 47115(i) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(g) Supplemental Discretionary Funds.--Section 47115(j)(4)(A) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking clause (vi) and adding at the end the following:
``(vi) $340,321,762 for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on May 10, 2024.''.
(h) Compatible Land Use Planning and Projects by State and Local Governments.--Section 47141(f) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(i) Non-Movement Area Surveillance Pilot Program.--Section 47143(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``March 9, 2024'' and inserting ``May 11, 2024''.
(j) Weather Reporting Programs.--Section 48105 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (5) and adding at the end the following:
``(5) $23,762,295 for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on May 10, 2024.''.
(k) Learning Period.--Section 50905(c)(9) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by striking ``March 9, 2024'' and inserting ``May 11, 2024''.
(l) Midway Island Airport.--Section 186(d) of the Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108- 176; 117 Stat. 2518) is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024,'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024,''.
(m) Final Order Establishing Mileage and Adjustment Eligibility.--Section 409(d) of the Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (49 U.S.C. 41731 note) is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(n) Contract Weather Observers.--Section 2306(b) of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114- 190; 130 Stat. 641) is amended by striking ``March 9, 2024'' and inserting ``May 11, 2024''.
(o) Remote Tower Pilot Program.--Section 161(a)(10) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 47104 note) is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(p) Airport Access Roads in Remote Locations; Storage Facilities for Snow Removal Equipment.--Section 162 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 47102 note) is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(q) UAS Remote Detection and Identification Pilot Program.--Section 372(d) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44810 note) is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(r) Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection.-- Section 411(h) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 note) is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(s) Aviation Consumer Advocate.--Section 424(e) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 42302 note) is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(t) Advisory Committee on Air Travel Needs of Passengers With Disabilities.--Section 439(g) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 41705 note) is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(u) Enhanced Traffic Services.--Section 547(e) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40103 note) is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(v) Pilot Program for Redevelopment of Airport Properties.--Section 822(k) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 47141 note) is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''. SEC. 103. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION OPERATIONS.
Section 106(k) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking subparagraph (G) and inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:
``(G) $7,259,685,792 for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on May 10, 2024.''; and
(2) in paragraph (3) by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''. SEC. 104. AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.
Section 48101(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (7) and adding at the end the following:
``(7) $1,794,357,923 for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on May 10, 2024.''. SEC. 105. RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT.
Section 48102(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (16) and inserting the following:
``(16) $155,368,852 for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on May 10, 2024.''. SEC. 106. SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE.
(a) Essential Air Service Authorization.--Section 41742(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``$155,115,628 for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on March 8, 2024,'' and inserting ``$216,192,407 for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on May 10, 2024,''.
(b) Airports Not Receiving Sufficient Service.--Section 41743(e)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``$4,371,585 for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on March 8, 2024,'' and inserting ``$6,092,896 for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on May 10, 2024,''. TITLE II--AVIATION REVENUE PROVISIONS SEC. 201. EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY FROM AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND.
(a) In General.--Section 9502(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking ``March 9, 2024'' and inserting ``May 11, 2024''; and
(2) in subparagraph (A) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting ``or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2024;''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 9502(e)(2) of such Code is amended by striking ``March 9, 2024'' and inserting ``May 11, 2024''. SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF TAXES FUNDING AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND.
(a) Fuel Taxes.--Section 4081(d)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(b) Ticket Taxes.--
(1) Persons.--Section 4261(k)(1)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(2) Property.--Section 4271(d)(1)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(c) Fractional Ownership Programs.--
(1) Fuel tax.--Section 4043(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''.
(2) Treatment as noncommercial aviation.--Section 4083(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``March 9, 2024'' and inserting ``May 11, 2024''.
(3) Exemption from ticket tax.--Section 4261(j) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``March 8, 2024'' and inserting ``May 10, 2024''. TITLE III -- MISCELLANEOUS EXTENSIONS SEC. 301. COUNTER-UAS AUTHORITIES.
Section 210G(i) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124n(i)) is amended by striking ``March 9, 2024'' and inserting ``May 11, 2024''.
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Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. 7454.
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Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 7454 extends the statutory authority of the Federal Aviation Administration through May 10, 2024.
The bill provides for key extensions of FAA authorities, such as the continued collection of aviation excise taxes that the safe operation of the National Airspace System is dependent upon.
Importantly, this bill also allows adequate time for the House and Senate to reconcile a final FAA bill to ensure the FAA has a long-term reauthorization.
Last July, the House did its part to provide for a long-term reauthorization of the FAA on time and ahead of schedule when we passed H.R. 3935 in overwhelming bipartisan fashion with more than 350 votes.
I commend my House colleagues for fulfilling the responsibility to ensure the FAA has the tools and resources it needs to maintain operations and safety in our National Airspace System.
The good news is that the Senate Commerce Committee has finally marked up its FAA bill, S. 1939. It is clear that enacting a long-term FAA bill remains the goal of both Chambers, and Congress is on track to do that.
In the meantime, we must act to pass another extension to keep the lights on at the FAA. As frequent flyers ourselves, I know for a fact that we all share a common goal of upholding safety in our airspace so every person who uses the system can travel and return home safely.
I plan to work expeditiously with our Senate counterparts so that this is the last short-term extension before we send a comprehensive, long-term FAA bill to the President's desk.
Failure to enact this extension is going to jeopardize aviation safety and will directly and immediately increase our national debt by more than $50 million a day.
I encourage all Members to support this bill so that we can maintain safety in the National Airspace System while we continue to work toward enacting a long-term reauthorization.
Madam Speaker, I want to take just a moment to recognize one of our Subcommittee on Aviation staffers, Christopher Senn, who will be leaving the committee this week. I thank him for his service to our country, as a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, by the way, and for his work and assistance with the committee, especially when it comes to FAA matters.
Madam Speaker, I urge support for this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves), who is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation.
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Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman), the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee,
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Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Self).
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Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. D'Esposito).
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Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I urge, as well, all Members to support this bill. This is a must-pass bill so we can keep our aviation system operating safely. H.R. 7454 provides for a clean extension of FAA authorities. It does not include any policy riders.
Failure to extend the FAA's authorities is going to cost the Federal Government more than $50 million a day in lost revenues.
A lapse in authorities would also prohibit the FAA from making new obligations from the aviation trust fund to fund the FAA's important safety, operational, and research functions. Enacting a long-term and comprehensive FAA bill is the goal of both the House and the Senate. I remain committed to doing just that so Congress can deliver certainty to the aviation industry and the FAA.
Madam Speaker, I urge support for this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
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